Archive for the ‘World Heritage Site of the Week’ Category

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Ethiopian Visa Requirements to Visit the Mysterious Ruins of Tiya

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

In the wild grasslands of Southern Ethiopia, imposing stone monuments mark the site of an ancient burial ground, this week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage site. The monuments at Tiya in Ethiopia consist of 32 large slabs of stone called stelae. The stones are etched with swords and other symbols. Who built this place? Nobody knows-according to UNESCO, “They are the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined.”

Other nearby sites of interest include Hera Shetan crater lake and a formation of naturally ordered stone blocks at nearby Agesoke.

American citizens traveling to Ethiopia need passports and an Ethiopian visa. If you’re flying in through Bole International Airport, you may attempt to get an Ethiopian visa upon arrival. But consider yourself warned-the US Department of State notes that travelers sometimes have trouble getting a visa at the airport and are “significantly delayed.”

Ethiopian visas are not available at any other airports in Ethiopia or at land border crossings. If you are entering Ethiopia by land or flying into a different airport, you must get your visa in advance. As you can see, you’d be better off getting it in advance anyway, even if you are planning to fly into Bole.

To get an Ethiopian visa, you need the following documents:

  • 1 completed Ethiopian visa application form
  • 1 passport-sized photo of yourself
  • A copy of your round-trip itinerary
  • Your US passport

A private visa expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa can streamline the visa process, providing easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on the Ethiopian visa process and expediting your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Ethiopian visa today!

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Venezuelan Visa Requirements to Visit Canaima National Park

Thursday, August 26th, 2010

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is tucked away in the southeastern corner of Venezuela, near the borders with Brazil and Guyana. Canaima National Park is vast expanse of rugged wilderness so remote and unusual that it inspired the setting of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel The Lost World.

Here’s how UNESCO describes the park:

Canaima National Park is spread over 3 million ha in south-eastern Venezuela along the border between Guyana and Brazil. Roughly 65% of the park is covered by table mountain (tepui) formations. The tepuis constitute a unique biogeological entity and are of great geological interest. The sheer cliffs and waterfalls, including the world’s highest (1,000 m), form a spectacular landscape.

The unusual and unique tepuis really make Canaima National Park stand out. You can climb to the top of some of the tepuis, including Auyantepu, the formation from which Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, plunges 3,212 feet. That’s almost a mile!

If you’d like to see Angel Falls, it’s best to visit Canaima National Park from June to December, when the water is deep enough to allow travel by boat. More likely than not, your guide will be a member of the native Pemon tribe who inhabit the park.

To visit Canaima National Park, you need a US passport valid for at least 6 months after you plan to enter Venezuela, as well as a Venezuelan visa or tourist card. You can get a tourist card on the plane if you are arriving by air and plan to stay for less than 90 days. However, backpackers and others entering Venezuela by land do need to arrange for a Venezuelan visa in advance.

For more information on getting a Venezuelan visa, see Venezuelan Visa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for the necessary visas for your next trip. We’ll research requirements for your itinerary, help you with the paperwork and submit your application for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Venezuelan visa today!

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Brazil Visa Requirements to Visit the Pantanal

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the largest wetland in the world. The Pantanal Conservation Complex consists of 4 protected areas in Brazil’s Pantanal region. The Pantanal is an amazing ecosystem that supports a tremendously diverse population of plants and animals. According to Wikipedia, it is home to 3500 known plant species, 1000 different types of birds, 300 different types of mammals, 480 reptile species, 400 fish species and over 9,000 different types of invertebrates.

Some of the most photogenic inhabitants of the Pantanal include giant river otters, howler monkeys, endangered hyacinth macaws and other parrots, jaguar, giant anteaters, the alligator-like caiman and the odd-looking tapir, which resembles a pig but is actually more closely related to the rhinoceros.

The UNESCO World Heritage website explains why the Pantanal Conservation Complex was added to the list:

The headwaters of the region’s two major river systems, the Cuiabá and the Paraguay rivers, are located here, and the abundance and diversity of its vegetation and animal life are spectacular.

As you might imagine, the Pantanal is an excellent destination for outdoor activities like fishing as well as eco-tourism. The region is dotted with lodges that serve as excellent bases for excursions into the surrounding countryside.

To visit the Pantanal, you’ll need  both a US passport and a Brazil visa. Be sure to apply for your Brazil visa well in advance of your trip, as you won’t be allowed to get on your plane without one. Also, check your passport before you apply for your Brazil visa. Brazil likes to make a statement with their visas, so you’ll need at least 2 blank pages in the back. Also, check the expiration date-you’ll need to renew your passport if its more than 6 months in the future.

For more information about getting your visa, see Brazil Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Need help applying for your visa? RushMyTravelVisa.com offers a personal touch for a smooth application process and the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Brazil visa today!

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Chinese Visa Requirements To Visit the Center of Heaven and Earth

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

On Monday, August 2nd, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee concluded its 34th session, adding 21 new sites to the World Heritage List. One of the new additions to the list is a collection of religious and historical buildings located near the city of Dengfeng at the foot of Mount Songshang, China’s most sacred mountain. The monuments include the famous Shaolin Temple, the birthplace of Zen Buddhism and the Shaolin style of martial arts, and an astronomical observatory build on the orders of Kublai Khan. Because there are so many temples and monasteries located in the shadow of sacred Songshang mountain, the Chinese refer to this area as the “Center of Heaven and Earth.”

On its website, UNESCO explains that the sites were added to the World Heritage List due to their historical, religious and cultural significance:

“Constructed over the course of nine dynasties, these buildings are reflections of different ways of perceiving the centre of heaven and earth and the power of the mountain as a centre for religious devotion. The historical monuments of Dengfeng include some of the best examples of ancient Chinese buildings devoted to ritual, science, technology and education.”

To visit China’s newest World Heritage Site, you’ll need a Chinese visa for tourists, also known as an “L” visa. To get one, you’ll need the following documents:

  • A Chinese visa application
  • Your US passport, which must be valid for at least 6 more months. You’ll also need at least one blank page in the back.
  • A copy of your passport’s information page (the page with your name, date of birth, etc on it).
  • One passport photo glued or stapled to the application.

If you are leaving within the next 7 days, include a copy of your travel itinerary so that your Chinese visa can be expedited.

Using an expediting company like RushMyTravelVisa can make the Chinese visa process easier and quicker. We’ll help you with the application, decreasing the likelihood of errors that could hold up your visa. Then, we’ll deliver your paperwork to the appropriate Chinese Embassy for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Chinese visa today!

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Bangladeshi Visa Requirements To Visit the Ruins of Somapura Mahavihara

Sunday, August 1st, 2010

Today’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is an ancient Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh. Somapura Mahavihara was built around 810 AD, during the rise of Mahayana Buddhism in the area.  Although Somapura Mahavihara, which means “Great Monastery,” was intended for Buddhist monks, according to Wikipedia it eventually became an important intellectual and religious center for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus alike.   Somapura Mahavihara was part of a network of 5 major monasteries that dominated South Asia, and was an important destination for many Buddhist scholars.

The Great Monastery remained a fixture of the region until the 12th century AD, when many of the people living in the surrounding villages and towns converted to Islam. Eventually, the monastery was abandoned and left to the jungle. It was excavated in the early 16th century and made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1985.

Today, the massive, intricately decorated ruins are one of Bangladesh’s most important archaeological sites and a major tourist attraction.  On its website, UNESCO explains why Somapura Mahavihara is both an important historical site and an attractive place for visitors to explore:

Its layout perfectly adapted to its religious function, this monastery-city represents a unique artistic achievement. With its simple, harmonious lines and its profusion of carved decoration, it influenced Buddhist architecture as far away as Cambodia.

To visit Somapura Mahavihara, you need a passport and a Bangladeshi visa, if you are a US citizen. In theory, Bangladesh issues visa on arrival, but in practice, according to the US Department of State, you’ll have a much easier time getting into the country. For more information about what you need to get your Bangladeshi visa, see BangladeshVisa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa makes it easy to get all of the documents you need for your trip. We’ll review your itinerary and research visa requirements for each country you visit, so you don’t get turned away or taken by surprise. Then, we’ll help you with the paperwork and submit your application on your behalf for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Bangladeshi visa today!

Somapura Mahavihara

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Jordan Visa Requirements To Visit the “Rose-Red City”

Saturday, July 24th, 2010

“Match me such marvel save in Eastern clime,a rose-red city half as old as time.”
John William Burgon

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage site is one of Jordan’s oldest and most beautiful cities.  Located between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, Petra was an important trading city during Biblical times, and has been inhabited for far longer than that.

Petra rose to power as the capital city of the Nabataeans. The Nabataeans traded not only goods but also water, and Petra is constructed with a system of dams, water storage and irrigation that allowed them to capture water when it rained and dispense it as needed during dry periods.

After the Romans took control of the area, trades routes shifted and Petra’s location became much less advantageous. Eventually it was all but abandoned, before locals led a Swiss explorer to the city in 1812.

The entire city is built into a mountain, carved into and constructed out of the same gorgeous red rock. According to UNESCO, Petra “is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic architecture.” It is also Jordan’s most popular tourist attraction.

Fun Fact: The last scene in the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” was filmed in Petra.

To visit Petra, you need a valid passport and a tourist visa.  In most cases, you can get a visa to visit Jordan when you arrive. However, if you are crossing over the border with Israel at the King Hussein/Allenby Bridge crossing, you must apply for your Jordan visa in advance.

No matter how you are entering Jordan, if you’d rather have your Jordan visa paperwork taken care of before you leave the US, you do have the option of applying ahead of time.  The application process for a Jordan visa is pretty straightforward. Just submit your US passport, 1 Jordan visa application form, and 1 passport-sized photo taken within the past 6 months.

Also, keep in mind that you may need other tourist or transit visas depending on your itinerary. RushMyTravelVisa can help by reviewing your travel plans and researching visa requirements for each stop. Then, we can help you with the application process and deliver your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate to expedite processing.

Apply for your Jordan visa today!

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Get a Brazilian Visa to Visit Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves

Sunday, July 11th, 2010

Brazil is justly famous for its ecotourism opportunities, and the country boasts more than just rainforests to explore. For example, Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves, this week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an archipelago of 21 islands and islets. The islands themselves are beautiful but hardly pristine, as all of the original forests were cut down in the 19th century to improve security for the prison that was once located there. The real attraction is the marine life that surrounds the island, especially the group of spinner dolphins in Golfinhos Bay.  The coastline surrounding the islands is great for diving, and there’s even the remnants of an old Portuguese warship to explore.

To visit , Fernando de Noronha and Atol das Rocas Reserves, you do need a Brazil visa. Brazil doesn’t issue visas on arrival so you must apply in advance. Here’s a quick rundown of what you’ll need to get the visa:

  • A valid passport with an expiration date at least 6 months in the future. Also, check the back-you need at least 2 blank pages left for the visa.
  • One Brazil visa application
  • 2 passport-sized photos
  • A copy of your itinerary showing the dates you plan to enter and leave Brazil.
  • A  photocopy of your driver’s license or state-issued ID card. The copy must be neat and easy to read.
  • A letter from your hosts, if you are visiting friends or relatives.

To enter Brazil, you may also need a yellow fever vaccination. Vaccines are required of travelers who have been to any of the following countries in the past 3 months (90 days): Angola, Bolivia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, French Guiana, Gabon, Ghana, Gambia, Republic of Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone, Sudan or Venezuela.

Also, keep in mind that Brazil has a “jurisdictional” visa system.  Before you apply, you need to determine which Brazilian embassy or consulate serves the city you live in, as each embassy only processes visa applications from certain regions of the country.

RushMyTravelVisa can make the process of getting your Brazil visa much quicker and easier. We’ll guide you through the application process and hand-deliver your application to the appropriate embassy or consulate for expedited processing.

Apply for your Brazil visa today!

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Gabon Visa Requirements to Visit Lopé-Okanda National Park

Sunday, July 4th, 2010

Gabon is justly famous for its nature parks, which protect a variety of different habitats for native African plants and animals, including Lopé-Okanda National Park, this week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lopé-Okanda National Park includes vast stretches of well-preserved tropical rainforests as well as savannahs. It is home to more large threatened African mammals than any other African rainforest. The world’s largest known group of primates was found here: a troop of more than 1,300 mandrill.

Lopé-Okanda National Park may be filled with wildlife, but it is also a place with a rich human history. Archaeological remains from this region indicate Stone Age and Iron Age settlements, and they tell the story of the migration of the Bantu people into the Congo Forests.  They left behind tools, traces of habitation and campsites, and art, gracing what is now the park with over 1,800 rock carvings.

If you’d like to visit Lopé-Okanda National Park, the first step is to ensure that you have all of the documents you need to enter Gabon. Naturally, you will need your passport, but you will also need a Gabon visa before you can enter the country.

You used to be able to get a Gabon visa at the airport when you arrived, but this is no longer the case. The US Department of State cautions travelers to apply in advance for their visas, as Americans arriving in Gabon without them have been sent directly back to US at their own expense.

For a complete list of the documents and other information that you must provide to get your visa, read Gabon Visa Requirements for Tourists.

Also, before you apply for your visa, check your passport-if it expires in 6 months or less, you need to get a passport renewal before applying for a visa.

RushMyTravelVisa can help you apply for your Gabon visa, as well as any other visas you need for your trip. We’ll even research the visa requirements for every stop on your itinerary, to help you avoid unpleasant surprises.  Then, we’ll walk you through the visa application process step by step and expedite your applications for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Gabon visa today!

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Indonesian Visa Requirements to Visit the Borobudur Temple

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

This week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site is located in Indonesia. The Borobudur Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple that dates back to the 8th or 9th century AD. This colossal structure was once abandoned to the surrounding jungle, perhaps because the local populace converted to Islam or perhaps due to a volcanic eruption.

Either way, it was rediscovered in 1814 by H.C. Cornelius, a Dutch engineer working for the British government in Java. Excavating the monument took decades-it was not fully unearthed until 1835.  In the 1970′s, UNESCO sponsored a major renovation and restoration of the temple, and today Indonesian Buddhists worship there once more. Vesak, a major Buddhist holiday, is celebrated by visiting all three of the region’s major Buddhist temples, walking from Mendut to Pawon and finally to Borobudur.

The base of the  temple measures approximately 403.5 feet on each side, and it took more than 72,000 cubic yards worth of stone to construct. It is decorated with statues of the Buddha, bas-reliefs and sculptures. Viewed from above, it looks like a sacred mandala.

If you want to see the temple, you’ll need an Indonesian visa.  Indonesia does issue visas on arrival at certain airports and sea ports, but you can also apply for one before your trip. Either way, here’s what you need:

  • Your US passport, which must have at least 6 months left before it expires. You’ll also need one whole blank page free in the back for the visa.
  • 2 completed Indonesian visa application forms
  • 2 passport photos
  • A copy of your most recent bank statement
  • A letter from your employer verifying that you are employed or on a leave of absence. If you don’t have a job, simply include a detailed letter explaining that fact.
  • An itinerary letter that explains why you are going to Indonesia.

RushMyTravelVisa can help expedite your Indonesian visa as well as any other visas you may need for your trip. When you apply with us, a trained visa specialist will answer your questions and help you with your application. Then, we’ll deliver your paperwork to the appropriate embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Indonesian visa today!

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Get a Bolivian Visa to Visit El Fuerte de Samaipata

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

Over 1,000 years ago, a group called the Chane lived in the Andes Mountains, in what is now Bolivia.  They lived in densely populated villages, farmed and created some rather extraordinary rock art.  Most of the villages are long gone, but the rock art is still visible today at El Fuerte de Samaipata, this week’s featured UNESCO World Heritage Site.

To the Chane, El Fuerte de Samaipata was a religious site. It was destroyed when a rival group, the Guarani, conquered the Chane. The Spanish also built a settlement there, and the Incas, who allied with the Chane against the Guarani, also had a settlement nearby. So, when you visit El Fuerte de Samaipata you can actually see architectural ruins from all three cultures.

However, it’s the Chane rock art that really steals the show. On a stone hill, the Chane carved a panoply of figures, including the jaguars and snakes that are so common in Pre-Columbian art.  They also built a water tank out of stone and carved seats for participants and spectators. SacredSites.com has a great picture.

Here’s how UNESCO describes the site:

Samaipata bears outstanding witness to the existence in this Andean region of a culture with highly developed religious traditions, illustrated dramatically in the form of immense rock sculptures.

To visit these ruins, you will need your passport (of course) and a Bolivian visa.  Bolivian visas can be obtained on arrival as long as you enter the country at an official border crossing, or you can apply in advance if you would prefer to have one in hand before you leave the US. However, if you choose to apply for one arrival, make sure you have $135 cash on hand to pay for it!

For more information about how to get a Bolivian visa to explore these ruins, see Bolivian Visa Requirements for Tourists.

RushMyTravelVisa can expedite your Bolivian visa, as well as any other visas you may need for your trip. We’ll research your itinerary, help you with the paperwork and deliver your visa application to the correct embassy or consulate for the fastest possible processing.

Apply for your Bolivian visa today!

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